It was all about the finish for the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Galaxy, continuing their stunning turnaround from a year ago, when they tied for the worst record in MLS, clinched their first Western Conference regular-season title since 2002 with a 2-0 victory against the Earthquakes in front of a sellout crowd at The Home Depot Center.
The Galaxy (12-6-12) took a 1-0 lead 24 minutes into the match on an own goal by San Jose's Bobby Burling, and Landon Donovan supplied the clincher with his team-leading 12th goal of the season at the 77-minute mark.
The Galaxy's David Beckham, who received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was replaced by Jovan Kirovski just four minutes from end of regulation time, said Saturday's game was all about gathering momentum for the playoffs.
The game might have been anticlimactic in the sense the Galaxy knew they had a playoff berth clinched three weeks ago, but Beckham said there was no shortage of effort against the Earthquakes.
"Tonight we wanted to finish off on a high, especially in front of our fans," he said, "and we did do that. It was important we won the game, to be on top in our division. We've played better in games and we've passed the ball better in games, but we won the game.
"It pleased the fans that it made us the top, but we don't stop here. There's still a lot of work to be done, but I'm happy with the position we're in."
The Galaxy, who hadn't beaten their bitter northern California rivals in two earlier tries this season, got a big break on the game's first goal. Donovan simply was attempting to send a cross across the goalmouth when Burling stuck out his foot to try and knock the ball out of danger. The only problem was the ball deflected and carried over the outstretched hand of San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon and into the goal for a stunning goal.
"Just a lucky play," Donovan said. "But you put pressure on people and put them in awkward positions and those things happen."
The Earthquakes did respond two minutes later when Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made a nice save on a header by Brandon McDonald, but that was it for San Jose's quality chances.
Donovan's goal well into the second half pretty much put matters to rest. The Earthquakes (7-14-9) had been 1-0-3 in their last four games on the road entering Saturday's match.
"That second goal kind of killed us ... killed the game off," San Jose coach Frank Yallop said. "Our guys showed good character tonight. We had moments to get back into the game, which we didn't take."
The Galaxy now prepare for their first postseason appearance since 2005 but won't know who they will play until after Sunday's Houston-Chivas USA game. If their Home Depot Center co-tenants win, the Galaxy will play Houston in the first round. If the teams finish in a tie or the Dynamo win, the Galaxy will play Chivas in a showdown area soccer fans have been hoping for.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said he doesn't care who the Galaxy will play.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "How many people would even have thought we'd be here? We're pleased to be at this point. It's just going to be when you roll that ball out, can you play 90 minutes better than your opponent."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
